Essay: Secure Communities, Priority Enforcement, and IDENT/IAFIS Interoperability: Recommendations for Effective Reform (2015)

Abstract:

This essay explores an immigration enforcement strategy known as IDENT/IAFIS Interoperability, comparing the strategy under its original Secure Communities structure, and under the recently-announced Priority Enforcement Program (PEP). In addition to Secure Communities and PEP, this paper discusses related enforcement programs, overall immigration enforcement goals, and the outcomes of recent enforcement efforts. The paper examines Constitutional challenges to the enforcement programs, and explores deeper issues related to the spectrum of state and local criminal laws, community trust in law enforcement, and dangers of the immigration detention system as it currently exists. Ultimately, this essay provides policy recommendations to address the challenges introduced by Secure Communities and the Priority Enforcement Program.

This essay was prepared by Robert Goodis to fulfill his Upper Level Writing Requirement at American University, Washington College of Law, in the spring of 2015. The paper appears here in the exact form submitted to WCL faculty. It is included in the archives of The Goodis Center because of the relevance of the subject-matter to our ongoing research. This essay may be called a working paper of The Goodis Center – we welcome feedback and discussion.

View the full essay here or browse our archive of full reports and essays.

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About Robert Goodis

Robert D. Goodis is a passionate advocate for human rights. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in human rights and sociology from Bard College (2010), a Master's of Public Policy from American University School of Public Affairs (2016) and a Juris Doctorate from American University, Washington College of Law (2015). He is a member of the Maryland Bar. His anti-genocide activism gained regional and international coverage in radio and newspaper outlets as early as 2005-2006, and eventually formed the foundation on which The Goodis Center was established.

In addition to his experience with human rights law and policy, Mr. Goodis has experience in IT and law enforcement, and volunteered for 3.5 years with the Red Hook Fire Company in Dutchess County, New York (2008-2012). He has received awards and honors for academic promise and for his commitment to community service and the public interest. A sampling of these recognitions include the Shelley Morgan Award (Bard College 2011), the Public Interest / Public Service Scholarship (American University, Washington College of Law, Class of 2015), Outstanding Service Honors (AU WCL, 2015), Volunteer Law Student of the Year (Homeless Persons Representation Project, 2014/2015), and the Nathan A. Neal Award for Outstanding Advocacy (D.C. Law Students in Court, 2014/2015).

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Essay: Secure Communities, Priority Enforcement, and IDENT/IAFIS Interoperability: Recommendations for Effective Reform (2015)

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